Two major institutional players are making bold bets on NEAR Protocol, and they’re doing it through entirely different doors. Bitwise has filed for a NEAR ETF, while investment firm SVRN is working to accumulate a staggering 10% of the token’s total supply. What unites both strategies is a shared conviction: blockchain infrastructure will be the backbone of an AI-driven economy.
Wall Street’s Growing Appetite for AI Crypto Plays
For years, crypto has lived on the fringes of traditional finance. That’s changing fast. With the approval of spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, institutional money is no longer a hypothetical it’s flowing in real time. Now, fund managers are asking the obvious follow-up question: where will the next wave of growth come from?
Many in the industry believe the answer lies at the intersection of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology. NEAR Protocol, a layer-1 blockchain designed for scalability and developer-friendliness, is positioning itself as a leading candidate for this thesis.
What Is NEAR Protocol and Why Does It Matter?
Imagine a blockchain that works like a well-organized city. Roads are wide, traffic flows smoothly, and new neighborhoods can be built without disrupting existing ones. That’s essentially what NEAR Protocol aims to be in the crypto world.
NEAR is a layer-1 blockchain, meaning it’s a foundational network like Ethereum or Solana, not a secondary system built on top of another chain. Its key features include:
- Sharding technology: Instead of forcing every transaction through one crowded highway, NEAR splits the network into smaller parallel chains. This dramatically increases speed and reduces costs.
- Developer-friendly environment: NEAR supports familiar programming languages, making it easier for builders to create apps.
- AI-focused infrastructure: The team has been deliberately building tools and partnerships tailored to AI use cases, such as user-owned data and decentralized AI agents.
Bitwise’s NEAR ETF: A Gateway for Traditional Investors
Bitwise Asset Management, one of the most recognizable names in crypto investment products, is no stranger to ETFs. The firm already manages several spot crypto ETFs and has been instrumental in bringing digital assets to Wall Street.
By filing for a NEAR ETF, Bitwise gives everyday investors something they desperately want: access without the technical headache. You don’t need to understand wallets, gas fees, or private keys. You simply buy shares through a brokerage account, just like any stock.
In an interview with Bitcoin.com News, Bitwise executives explained that the fund is designed to capture demand from investors looking for exposure to the AI-blockchain convergence a theme that’s hard to ignore in 2025.
SVRN’s Bold Supply Grab
While Bitwise builds an on-ramp, SVRN is doing something far more aggressive. The firm has publicly stated its ambition to hold 10% of NEAR’s total token supply. That’s a massive position by any standard.
Why would a serious investment firm take such a large stake? The thesis is simple: if NEAR becomes foundational infrastructure for AI-powered applications, even a fraction of the network’s economic activity could translate into enormous value for long-term holders.
Think of it like buying land in a small town just before a major highway is built. Early believers don’t need the town to be famous today they need it to be well-located tomorrow.
The AI Blockchain Thesis: Why Now?
Artificial intelligence and blockchain technology may seem like separate worlds, but they share a common tension. AI companies are gathering unprecedented amounts of user data, and users have little control or ownership over that information.
Blockchain offers a natural solution:
- Data sovereignty: Users could own and monetize their own data.
- Decentralized AI: AI models can run on distributed networks rather than relying on a handful of tech giants.
- Trustless computation: Smart contracts can verify AI outputs, reducing the risk of manipulation or errors.
NEAR has been leaning into this narrative with purpose-built tools, developer grants, and ecosystem partnerships. For institutional investors searching for the next big theme, it’s an attractive proposition.
What This Means for Everyday Crypto Investors
You don’t need a hedge fund budget to participate in this thesis. Here are a few practical steps:
- Use regulated exchanges like Kraken or Bitvavo to buy NEAR tokens directly.
- Secure your holdings with a hardware wallet such as Ledger, which keeps your private keys offline and away from hackers.
- Watch the ETF decision: If Bitwise’s NEAR ETF gets approved, it could trigger a wave of new demand and significant price movement.
Risks to Keep in Mind
No investment thesis is bulletproof. Before jumping in, consider these risks:
- Regulatory uncertainty: ETF approvals are never guaranteed, and timelines can shift.
- Competition: NEAR faces stiff competition from other AI-focused chains and layer-2 solutions.
- Concentration risk: If SVRN or similar firms accumulate massive supply, they could theoretically influence market dynamics.
Conclusion: A Bet on the Future of the Internet
The simultaneous moves by Bitwise and SVRN tell a clear story: smart money believes that the fusion of AI and blockchain is one of the most important investment themes of the decade. Whether you access it through a NEAR ETF or by purchasing tokens directly, NEAR Protocol offers a way to position yourself at the intersection of two transformative technologies.
Do your own research, manage your risk carefully, and consider speaking with a financial advisor before making significant allocations. The AI-blockchain convergence is just getting started, and the early chapters are being written right now.
